THE FACE ON THE TEN DOLLAR BILL

The Winter Olympics arrived in Vancouver with fanfare and celebration as well as an influx of international tourists.  As I was standing in a check-out line the couple a few places ahead of me, who were quite obviously tourists, were examining Canadian money.  One asked the other, “Who’s this old guy on the ten dollar bill?”  “I don’t know,” was the reply.  “Some old politician I guess.  He must have done something important to be on the money.”

Something important is right!  For The Face On The Ten Dollar Bill is Sir John A. Macdonald, arguably Scotland’s greatest contribution to Canada.  His list of accomplishments is unparalleled in all of our nation’s history.

Macdonald was born in Glasgow on January 11, 1815, and fortunately for us, his family immigrated to Canada in July 1820.

During the career that followed he led the movement to create a United British North America that became Canada, became our First Prime Minister, pushed the building of a transcontinental railway (and dealt with the political fall-out), moved Canada to a more independent status from Great Britain, and managed to control all the rival factions of a diverse Canadian political system.  He did all this in an era without mass media, “spin-doctors”, and image consultants!   

Macdonald’s impact is unimaginable by today’s standards.  He was the face and voice of Canada for over thirty years and his sudden death on Saturday, June 6, 1891 shocked the nation and cast a pall of sadness across its breadth.

Macdonald’s great political rival, Sir Wilfred Laurier, eulogized Macdonald with the following;  “remember that his actions always displayed great originality of views, unbounded fertility of resources, a high level of intellectual conceptions, and, above all, a far-reaching vision beyond the event of the day, and still higher, permeating the whole, a broad patriotism, a devotion to Canada’s welfare, Canada’s advancement, and Canada’s glory.”

One brief note.  On Wednesday, June 11, 1891Macdonald’s funeral cortege wound its way through the streets of Ottawa.  It was led by the Governor General, representatives from Parliament and the Senate, military officers, and then followed by delegations from many societies and associations.  In the forefront of these societies and delegations, walking to honour Canada’s great leader, was the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association.